I could give a set of rules for practice, and be very brief, but this would be unsatisfactory. When we are told a thing _must be done_, most of us, like the "inquisitive Yankee," have a desire to know _why_ it is necessary; and then like to know _how_ to do it. This gives us confidence that we are right. Hence, I shall endeavor to give the practical part, in as close connection with the natural history, that dictates it, as possible. This work will contain several chapters entirely new to the public: the result of my own experience, that will be of the utmost value to all who desire to realize the greatest possible advantages from their bees. The additions to chapters already partially discussed by others, will contain much original matter not to be found elsewhere. When many stocks are kept, the chapter on "Loss of Queens," alone, will, with attention, save to any one, not in the secret, enough in one season to be worth more in value than many times the cost of this work. The same might be said of those on diseased brood, artificial swarms, wintering bees, and many others. If such a work could have been placed in my hands twenty years ago, I should have realized hundreds of dollars by the information. But instead of this, my course has been, first to suffer a loss, and then find out the remedy, or preventive; from which the reader may be exempt, as I can confidently recommend these directions. Another new feature will be found in the duties of each season being kept by itself, commencing with the spring and ending with the winter management. In my anxiety to be understood by all classes of readers, I am aware that I have made the elegant construction and arrangement of sentences of secondary importance; therefore justly liable to criticism. But to the reader, whose object is information on this subject, it can be of but little consequence. CHAPTER I. A BRIEF HISTORY. THREE KINDS OF BEES. Every prosperous swarm, or family of bees, must contain one queen, several thousand workers, and, part of the year, a few hundred drones. [Illustration: QUEEN.] [Illustration: WORKER.] [Illustration: DRONE.] QUEEN DESCRIBED.